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Editor’s Note: With the cancellations of community events due to COVID-19, The News-Herald’s calendar listings will begin with events happening Aug. 1. The ongoing monthly events will also be listed. Before attending an event, contact the organizers to find out if it has been cancelled.

We may not be dancing in the street these days, but we can certainly get our Motown fix.

The Motown Museum has announced a new batch of online programming in the wake of closing down as part of novel coronavirus pandemic restrictions on mass gatherings and Michigan's Stay Home orders. The festivities start at 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, with a one-hour Motown DJ Dance Party led by Carl "DJ iNViSiBLE" Hollier and will include an April 10 stream of last fall's Hitsville Honors Celebration for Motown's 60th anniversary at Orchestra Hall an featuring performances by the Temptations, Four Tops, Martha Reeves the Vandellas, Big Sean, Kem, Ne-Yo and others.

Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. also used the Hitsville Honors show to announce his retirement. This will mark the first time any of the footage has been aired publicly.

Other online programs the museum is planning include Hitsville Next Educational Content running throughout April, and a Motown Mic: At Home series April 11-18, replacing the postponed Spoken Word 2020 event that was slated to run at the museum.

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All of the content can be linked via motownmuseum.org or accessed via the Motown Museum YouTube channel, Facebook page and IGTV channel.

"Even in the most challenging moments, there is room for creativity and connectivity," museum CEO and Chairwoman Robin Terry said in a statement. "We hope these programs bring joy, inspiration and fill our fans with a little bit of Motown magic as we navigate this time together. With nostalgia for the past and optimism for a brighter future, we are hopeful these virtual engagements will help us remain connected as we eagerly await the day we can welcome our guests back."

the Motown Accelerator program, meanwhile, will launch an Emergency Response Program for musicians, running April 6-17 at backlinemusic.com. The program will include talks, webinars and individual counseling opportunities to help musicians impacted by the pandemic. Topics will include financial aid, music administration, maintaining a digital presence and finding additional opportunities online. More information at MotownAccelerator.com.

Gary Graff is a multimedia journalist covering music and entertainment for MediaNews Group. Reach him at medianewsgroup.com.